Closing lid

ABSTRACT

A closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container ( 200 ) fitted with an external ring ( 210 ), which comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular central region ( 110 ) that presents, on the internal surface, a circumferential groove ( 121 ) next to the perimeter, and the ring ( 120 ) disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region ( 110 ), the said ring ( 120 ) which presents an upper projection ( 127 ) over the external surface of the circular central region ( 110 ), and the internal surface of the said ring ( 120 ) following the format of the circular central region ( 110 ), the said ring ( 120 ) which presents, from the circumferential groove ( 121 ), a descending projection where the circumferential rims are disposed, followed by a circumferential furrow ( 123 ) with a weakening line ( 1231 ), if following a descending surface ( 124 ) that presents, in the intermediary portion, an arrangement of rims ( 125 ) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descending surface ( 124 ) through a flexible connection ( 1251 ), the external surface of the ring ( 120 ) presenting a catch ( 126 ) interconnected to the weakening line ( 1231 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a closing lid for metallic, plastic, and glasscontainers, preferably, for conditioning products with or without vacuumtreatment. More specifically, it comprehends a closing lid consisting ofa one-piece body with a circular central region and a ring disposeddescendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central regionaggregating the functions of closure, sealing, and violabilityindication, thus eliminating the need to use aluminum seals or the like,and ensuring the re-use of the lid after opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The packaging has always been of fundamental importance for tradedevelopment. At first, it existed to contain, protect and make thetransportation viable. Nowadays, new functions are incorporated and newroles are played: conserving, exposing, selling the product, and winningover consumers by means of visual communication are part of this newprofile.

Modern life requires practicability and convenience to keep pace withits rhythm, and the packaging meets these needs incorporatingversatility and simplicity of its use. The characteristics of the servedmarkets boost the evolution of the sector in terms of ever increasinguse of the high technology. The globalization also compels thetechnology to improve because products have to be transportable, light,and compact in addition to having a clear, beautiful, and easilyunderstood aspect.

The metal packaging has evolved together with the modern world and ispresent in diverse segments of the industry of consumer products,advancing significantly the quality of the product, systems of openingand closing, new possibilities of printing in different colors andapplication of images, reduction in the thickness of the steel sheet,and fulfillment of projects that provide the packaging with greaterresistance and easiness for storing due to its present formats.

The functionality of the closure of cans, which has been improving eversince, also interferes with the choice made by the consumer. Theresearch reveals that after new systems of opening appeared, theconsumption of some canned goods has increased. One of many examples isthe easy-open type lid which has a plastic seal closing the centralorifice of the can. After being removed, it allows the consumer toeasily remove the lid. This alteration contributed to boosting theconsumption of products in this kind of packaging.

The tendency is to improve the closure of the packaging and to avoid theuse of knives, scissors, and other objects to open the product, thusdiminishing the risk of consumers' injuring themselves while handlingthe packaging. In this aspect, the manufacturers have been usingpractical and safe systems in order to add one more quality to theirproduct.

The state of the technique describes several closing lids applied tocans which have been continuously undergoing big constructivealterations in order to better meet the user's needs, and to provideconservation and adequate sealing of the contents of the packaging.

Firstly, the conventional type closing lids of cans were of metal andopened by using a can opener, thus eliminating the possibility ofre-using the container and generating points of rust harmful to theconditioning of foodstuffs.

Later, the lids of the penny lever type had an aluminum seal fitted withrims that were juxtaposed with the can ring. In these lids, the removalof the seal sometimes caused fragments of aluminum to fall down on theproduct placed inside the can. Furthermore, the rim of the said sealmade difficult the removal of the product and generated the accumulationof residues.

The lids of the peel-off type also had an aluminum seal fitted with atab, thus eliminating the use of cutting tools and the consequentdispersion of aluminum fragments on the product placed inside the can.However, the ring disposed on the internal part of the can stillretained residues.

At present, there are closing systems for foodstuffs that combine metaland plastic providing better sealing after the first opening. Thischaracteristic makes the can especially recommended for progressiveconsumption products that are repeatedly consumed. Besides, the newpackaging allows the product to be placed inside through the upperopening of the can, thus eliminating the re- thrusting operation thatoccurs in the conventional process. In the re-thrusting, the metallicrims of the body of the can, lid and the bottom are re-curved andcompacted together forming a fold or hermetic junction between the bodyand the lid, and the body and the bottom.

The application for the invention patent PI0401239 of the same patentholder describes a can fitted with the external string and a plasticcircular lid that has rims with re-entrances where there are a series ofprotrusions that compose a circular set of locks and a reduction of thesection with a handle. The lid through pressure adapts itself to theexternal string formed by the body of the can with the safety lockscontracting in the act of closure and tending to return to the initialposition, thus causing the locking. The handle breaks the reducedsection of the locks.

The addition certificate C0401239-9 describes a metal central lidwrapped by a plastic ring fitted with reentrance where there are aseries of protrusions that compose a circular set of locks containingthe reduction of the section, the said metal central lid that contains acavity to receive an elastic sealer.

The invention patent BR4499/74 describes a lid that comprehends a metaldisk-shaped cover enclosed in an external plastic ring that has a casingand an upper circular part. The spaced small protrusions are laid outand directed towards the inside of the casing of the lid with anindicating strip which may be disconnected totally or in part.

The application for the invention patent BR0403345 describes a lid thatcomprises a metal panel fitted with a peripheral rim, the said metalpanel having a diameter adjusted to the mouth of the flask; and aplastic ring that has a circumferential groove on the internal surfaceprojected to seat a circumferential rim of the metal panel, with anumber of protrusions that configure the locking teeth, the said ringbeing fitted with a protrusion on the external rim bordered by weakeninglines.

The patent FR2782700 describes a lid for a container where the neck hasa peripheral strip consisting of a ring and a disk. The ring includes anelastic closing rim located below the strip of the neck, the upper rimsarranged on the upper plane of the strip projected to be pressed at theextremity of the neck. The disk that rests on the rim of the neck ismaintained between the upper rims and the retention reinforcements. Whenthe lid is removed, the fragile connections are broken preventing thelid on the neck of the container to be replaced in its initialintegrity.

The patent US20030141271 describes a closing lid that includes a ringand a disc. A contact surface propels descendingly towards the disc evenwhen the ring moves longitudinally with relation to the disc or to thecontainer. A protruding protection, which is pressed ascendingly towardsthe disc during the opening process, defines the opening in which theundulation of the disc is disposed.

Therefore, the technical literature presents closing lids fitted withthe two independent structures—a metal or plastic disc, and a ring thatcontours the said disc, with the ring presenting the structures ofretaining and fixing the lid on the extreme pouring opening of acontainer.

However, the technical literature neither describes nor suggests aclosing lid fitted with the one-piece body with a circular centralregion and a ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter of the saidcircular central region aggregating the functions of closure, sealing,and an indicator of violability thus eliminating the need to use thealuminum seal or the like, and ensuring the re-use of the lid afteropening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a closing lid for metal, plastic and glasscontainers, preferably, for conditioning foodstuffs with or withoutvacuum treatment.

The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that presents aone-piece body that includes a circular central region, and a ringdisposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular centralregion aggregating the functions of closure, sealing, and indicatingwhether the container was violated.

The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that eliminates theneed for application of an aluminum seal for sealing and perfect closingof the lid.

The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that allowsmultiple closings and continuous sealing, and the re-use of thecontainer for other purposes.

The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that ensures theinviolability and indicates that a container was violated when agentswere inserted.

The characteristic of the invention is a closing lid that provides theconservation of the characteristics of the foodstuffs conditioned duringthe period of consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIG. 1 shows the first modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 1Abeing seen in detailed section of the closing lid, the FIG. 1B detailingthe segmented rims disposed on the closing lid, the FIG. 1C representingthe closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container,and the FIG. 1D representing the lid's closing sequence.

The FIG. 2 presents the second modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 2Aseen in detailed section of the closing lid, the FIG. 2B detailing thesegmented rims disposed on the closing lid, the FIG. 2C representing theclosing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container, andthe FIG. 2D—the view from above of the closing lid fitted with a ring.

The FIG. 3 presents the third modality of the closing lid, the FIG. 3Aseen in detailed section of the closing lid, and the FIG. 3Brepresenting the positioning seen in section of the external ring of thecontainer in the circumferential groove of the closing lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of this invention, the following terms are adopted:

a) “weakening line” designates a furrowed region of a tenuous surfacethat allows tear and/or flexion;

b) “container” comprehends a receptacle capable of conditioning liquidsor solids, and may be of metallic, plastic, glass material or the like;

c) “external ring of the container” comprehends a protrusion disposed onthe external part of the extreme pouring opening of a container.

In the first modality, as shown in the FIGS. 1A and 1C, the closing lid(100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular centralregion (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeterof the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100)disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200) fitted withan external ring (210).

On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), acircumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of thesaid circular central region (110) where the external ring (210)disposed on the rim of the container is fit.

The ring (120) presents an upper projection (127) over the externalsurface of the circular central region (110). On the internal surface,the ring (120) follows the format of the circular central region (110)and presents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descendingprojection where circumferential protrusions (122) followed by acircumferential furrow (123) that presents a circumferential weakeningline (1231), are disposed.

From the circumferential furrow (123) projects a descending surface(124) that presents, in the intermediary portion, the arrangement ofrims (125) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internalregion of the descending surface (124) through a flexible connection(1251) as shown in the FIG. 1A.

As presented in the FIG. 1B, on the external surface of the ring (120),a catch (126) interconnected to the first weakening line (1231) isplaced, which allows the rupture of the said first weakening line (1231)to completely remove the region of the ring (120) disposed between theweakening line (1231) and the lower extremity of the ring (120).

As presented in the FIGS. 1C and 1D, the lid (100), when presseddescending-wise next to the external ring (210) of the container (200),deforms the weakening line (1231) so that the lid is settled down andthe rims (125) are bent approximately 90 degrees, the said rims (125)fitting in the lower part of the ring (210) disposed on the externalsurface of the container (200). The circumferential groove (121) fitsthe external ring (210) in the circumferential protrusions (122)involving the external ring (210) of the container (200), the saidcircumferential protrusions (122) allowing the lid (100) to becontinuously closed and sealed.

In the second modality, as shown in the FIGS. 2A and 2C, the closing lid(100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular centralregion (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeterof the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100)being disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200)fitted with an external ring (210).

On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), acircumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of thesaid circular central region (110) where the external ring (210)disposed on the rim of the container (200) is fit.

The ring (120) is an upper projection (127) over the external surface ofthe circular central region (110). On the internal surface, the ring(120) follows the format of the circular central region (110), andpresents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projectionwhere circumferential protrusions (122) followed by a circumferentialfurrow (123), which is a circumferential weakening line (1231), aredisposed.

From the circumferential furrow (123) projects a descending surface(124) that presents, in the intermediary portion, the arrangement ofrims (125) disposed, segmented, and interconnected to the internalregion of the descending surface (124) through a flexible connection(1251) as shown in the FIG. 2A.

According to the FIG. 2B, on the external surface of the ring (120), acatch (126) interconnected to the first weakening line (1231) isdisposed, which allows the rupture of the said first weakening line(1231) to completely remove the region of the ring (120) disposedbetween the weakening line (1231) and the lower extremity of the ring(120).

On the external surface of the lid (100), from the upper projection(127) of the ring (120) over the circular central region (110) towardsthe central portion of the lid (100), a ring-shaped step (111) and apassing eyelet positioned on the lower level of the circular centralregion (110) are disposed. From the upper projection (127) of the ring(120) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a tab (128)superposed on the fall of the circular central region (110) is disposed.

The passing eyelet (112) disposed in the circular central region (110)is covered with a plastic membrane which is extracted by lifting the tab(128) that allows the air to enter the container, and opens the lid(100) as shown in the FIG. 2D.

As seen in the FIG. 2C, the lid (100), when pressed descending-wise nextto the external ring (210) of the container (200), deforms the weakeningline of (1231) so that the lid is settled down and the rims are bentapproximately 90 degrees (125), the said rims (125) that fit in thelower part of the ring (210) disposed on the external surface of thecontainer (200). The circumferential groove (121) fits the external ring(210) the circumferential protrusions (122) involving the external ring(210) of the container (200), the said circumferential protrusions (122)allowing the lid (100) to be continuously closed and sealed.

In the third modality, as shown in the FIGS. 3A and 3B, the closing lid(100) comprehends a one-piece body that includes a circular centralregion (110) and a ring (120) disposed descendingly from the perimeterof the said circular central region (110), the said closing lid (100)being disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a container (200)fitted with an external ring (210).

On the internal surface of the circular central region (110), acircumferential groove (121) is disposed next to the perimeter of thesaid circular central region (110) where the external ring (210)disposed on the rim of the container (200) is fitted.

The ring (120) is an upper projection (127) over the external surface ofthe circular central region (110). On the internal surface, the ring(120) follows the format of the circular central region (110), andpresents, from the circumferential groove (121), a descending projectionwhere circumferential protrusions (122) are disposed.

On the external surface of the lid (100), from the upper projection(127) of the ring (120) over the circular central region (110) towardsthe central portion of the lid (100), a ring-shaped step (111) and apassing eyelet positioned on the lower level of the circular centralregion (110) are disposed. From the upper projection (127) of the ring(120) towards the central portion of the lid (100), a tab (128)superposed on the fall of the circular central region (110) is disposed.

The passing eyelet (112) disposed in the circular central region (110)is covered with a plastic membrane which is extracted by lifting the tab(128) that allows the air to enter the container, and opens the lid(100).

As presented in the FIG. 3B, the lid (100), when pressed descending-wisenext to the external ring (210) of the container (200), fits theexternal ring (210) of the container (200) in the circumferential groove(121) involving the external ring (210) of the container (200), the saidcircumferential protrusions (122) allowing the lid (100) to becontinuously closed and sealed.

In all of the modalities, a sealing product is applied to thecircumferential groove (121) of the lid (100).

In all of the modalities, when the ring (120) is of plastic material,and the circular central region (110) is of metal material, the ring(120) is injected into the circular central region (110).

Optionally, a microprocessing capsule or chip is inserted in the lidallowing the products and services to be traced and managed.

1. The closing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of acontainer fitted with an external ring comprising a one-piece body thatincludes: a) a circular central region that presents, on the internalsurface, a circumferential groove next to the perimeter; b) A ringdisposed descendingly from the perimeter of the said circular centralregion; the said ring that is an upper projection over the externalsurface of the circular central region, and the internal surface of thering that follows the format of the circular central region, the saidring that presents, from the circumferential groove, a descendingprojection where the circumferential protrusions followed by acircumferential furrow with a weakening line are disposed, if followinga descending surface, which presents, in the intermediary portion, anarrangement of rims disposed, segmented, and interconnected to theinternal region of the descending surface through a flexible connection,with the external surface of the ring presenting a catch interconnectedto the weakening line.
 2. The closing lid disposed on the extremepouring opening of a container fitted with an external ring, comprisinga one-piece body that includes: a) a circular central region thatpresents, on the internal face, a circumferential groove next toperimeter with a ring-shaped step disposed next to the upper projectionof the ring including a passing eyelet covered with a plastic membranepositioned on the lower level of the circular central region and a tabwhich projects from the upper projection towards the central portion ofthe lid, the said tab being superposed on the fall of the circularcentral region; b) A ring disposed descendingly from the perimeter ofthe said circular central region; the said ring that is an upperprojection over the external surface of the circular central region, andthe internal surface of the said ring following the format of thecircular central region; the said ring that presents, from thecircumferential groove, a descending projection where thecircumferential protrusions followed by a circumferential furrow with aweakening line are disposed, if following a descending surface , whichpresents, in the intermediary portion, an arrangement of rims disposed,segmented, and interconnected to the internal region of the descendingsurface through a flexible connection with the external surface of thering presenting a catch interconnected to the weakening line.
 3. Theclosing lid disposed on the extreme pouring opening of a containerfitted with an external ring characterized by a one-piece body thatincludes: a) a circular central region that presents, on the internalface, a circumferential groove next to perimeter with a ring-shaped stepdisposed next to the upper projection of the ring including a passingeyelet covered with a plastic membrane positioned on the lower level ofthe circular central region and a tab which projects from the upperprojection towards the central portion of the lid, the said handle beingsuperposed on the fall of the circular central region; b) A ring placeddescendingly from the perimeter of the said circular central region, thesaid ring being an upper projection over the external surface of thecircular central region, and the internal surface of the said ringfollowing the format of the circular central region, the said ringpresenting, from the circumferential groove, a descending projectionwhere the circumferential protrusions are disposed .
 4. The closing lid,in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a microprocessingcapsule.
 5. The closing lid, in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lidcomprises a microprocessing capsule.
 6. The closing lid, in accordancewith claim 3 wherein the lid comprises a microprocessing capsule.